A new study has shown a link between smartphone use in the bathroom and the risk of developing hemorrhoids. Prolonged sitting and distraction increase the risk.
According to the results of a new study published in the journal PLOS One in September 2025, the habit of taking a smartphone to the bathroom may significantly increase the risk of developing hemorrhoids. Researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston found that prolonged sitting, caused by engrossed scrolling through news, social media, or other content on a smartphone, exerts excessive pressure on the rectum, which can trigger the development of hemorrhoids.
The study involved 125 adults who were scheduled for a routine colonoscopy. The analysis showed that "those who frequently used their phones while visiting the toilet had a significantly higher likelihood of developing hemorrhoids." Even when accounting for factors such as age, gender, body mass index, physical activity level, tendency to constipation, and fiber intake, smartphone users had a 46% higher risk of developing this condition compared to those who did not use their phones in the bathroom.
"While it is well known that one should not sit on the toilet for long periods, our study identified a specific link between hemorrhoids and smartphone use," the research emphasizes.
About 66% of respondents admitted to using their smartphones in the bathroom, with most of them (54.3%) reading news and 44.4% browsing social media. On average, smartphone users spent more time in the bathroom: 37% spent more than five minutes there, while among those who did not use smartphones, this figure was only 7%.
The study's results were corroborated through colonoscopy performed by two independent endoscopists, which enhanced the reliability of the data obtained.
This research highlights how everyday habits related to technology use can unintentionally impact health. Researchers suggest developing public health campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the risks associated with prolonged bathroom stays and distractions from smartphones.
